SpaceX, the US rocket and satellite operator behind Starlink, is in talks with EchoStar, the American satellite and wireless company, about buying its Boost Mobile business or renting access to Boost’s network, The Washington Post reported on Monday, 2 November 2026, citing people familiar with the matter.
The talks are aimed at launching Starlink Mobile, a planned US service that would combine Starlink satellite connectivity with conventional ground-based mobile infrastructure, according to Grafa. No agreement has been announced, and neither company has publicly confirmed the discussions.
Key facts
- Two routes are reportedly on the table: buying Boost Mobile outright, or an arrangement letting SpaceX use the wireless network without acquiring the business.
- Boost leases its network from AT&T and T-Mobile US, per Investing.com via Yahoo Finance.
- Elon Musk met EchoStar chairman Charlie Ergen in October, according to people familiar with the negotiations cited by The Washington Post.
- Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile all rejected Musk’s request for access to their networks, International Business Times UK reports.
- EchoStar shares rose 4% in premarket trading by 06:07 ET; SpaceX gained 2.8%.
- Equity research firm MoffettNathanson values the US wireless market at $235 billion (about £175 billion).
Why it matters
Starlink has grown as a satellite broadband service. The reported plan would turn it into something different: a branded mobile carrier competing with AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile, built on a constellation of more than 12,000 satellites plus leased cell infrastructure, according to Yahoo Finance.
SpaceX executives have said so publicly. On the company’s recent earnings call, chief financial officer Bret Johnsen said SpaceX aims to “become a major mobile carrier … in the United States,” the same report notes. A built-out mobile network would make the satellites a significant new revenue source and advance SpaceX’s goal of a human settlement on Mars, which would need a way to communicate, The Washington Post reported.
Readers outside the US should note what the sources do and do not say: every outlet describes Starlink Mobile as a service to extend coverage across the United States. None of the reports mentions Boost, EchoStar spectrum or Starlink Mobile launching in Africa, so this story does not change Starlink availability or pricing in Zimbabwe or elsewhere on the continent.
The carriers that said no still hold a veto
The awkward part of the reported plan is that Boost does not own most of the network it sells. International Business Times UK reports that Boost operates its own 5G network core but relies primarily on AT&T’s network infrastructure, while EchoStar separately maintains a network agreement with T-Mobile.
Three people familiar with the negotiations told The Washington Post that a carrier’s network lease would not typically transfer to a new owner without the major carrier’s permission. In practice, as IBTimes UK puts it, two of the carriers that reportedly rejected SpaceX’s initial approach could have considerable influence over whether the arrangement proceeds. Verizon’s chief executive ruled out an MVNO deal with SpaceX earlier this year.
IBTimes UK also reports that whether any arrangement makes commercial sense will depend on its costs, regulatory requirements and the terms agreed with existing network operators. What it would buy SpaceX, the outlet says, is an established wireless brand, an existing customer base and a route into the US mobile market without building an entirely new terrestrial operation.
What SpaceX has already bought
The Boost talks follow a run of spectrum deals. Grafa reports that SpaceX agreed in September 2025 to acquire wireless spectrum licences from EchoStar in a transaction valued at approximately $17 billion, supporting its expansion into direct-to-device connectivity.
Earlier in October 2026, SpaceX agreed to acquire Grain Management’s nationwide 800 MHz spectrum portfolio. The Wall Street Journal reported that transaction at approximately $8 billion (about £6 billion), although the companies did not disclose financial terms, per IBTimes UK. Yahoo Finance describes the same deal as $8 billion of wireless spectrum licences. The acquisition is intended to strengthen Starlink Mobile’s satellite-to-cellular connectivity, IBTimes UK reports, alongside the ground infrastructure for Starlink Mobile.
Background: a newly public SpaceX
SpaceX now trades publicly as NASDAQ:SPCX. It generated third-quarter 2026 revenue of $14.58 billion, exceeding analysts’ $12.7 billion forecast as its AI and connectivity businesses expanded, Grafa reports. In its second earnings report as a public company, SpaceX posted SpaceX’s first quarterly profit of $4.4 billion, or 35 cents a share, more than double estimates, while spending nearly $20 billion on capital expenditure.
Who has commented
Very few. The Washington Post reported that Verizon and EchoStar declined to comment, while AT&T, T-Mobile, SpaceX and Musk did not respond to requests for comment. IBTimes UK says it has not independently verified the reported negotiations.
Next steps depend on whether the discussions produce a formal proposal, and whether AT&T and T-Mobile agree to the network arrangements it would require.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many customers does Boost Mobile have?
EchoStar reported 7.375 million wireless subscribers across its Boost Mobile and Gen Mobile operations as of 30 June 2026, according to International Business Times UK. The same report describes Boost as EchoStar’s budget wireless brand.
Has SpaceX bought spectrum from EchoStar before?
Yes. Grafa reports that SpaceX agreed in September 2025 to acquire wireless spectrum licences from EchoStar in a transaction valued at about $17 billion, supporting its move into direct-to-device mobile connectivity.
Why does SpaceX need a terrestrial network if it has satellites?
International Business Times UK reports that direct-to-satellite connections remain technically challenging in dense urban areas and indoors, which makes access to conventional mobile networks important to the proposed service. Satellite-to-cellular technology could instead help extend coverage where terrestrial infrastructure is limited.
How did markets react to the report?
EchoStar shares rose 4% in premarket trading by 06:07 ET and SpaceX gained 2.8%, according to Investing.com via Yahoo Finance. Neither company has publicly confirmed the talks.
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